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BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Wales number eight Faletau signs new Cardiff deal
Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau has signed a new deal to stay at 34, was out of contract at the end of the season at the Arms who were taken over by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) in April after temporarily going into administration, have announced Faletau is staying for a fourth has been named in Wales' squad for the two Test tour of Japan in July which is being led by his Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt in his role as interim head number eight will have not given up hope of being called up for a fourth British and Irish Lions tour having not been named in the initial touring party to has played 108 internationals for Wales and five Tests for the Lions. "I'm happy to be staying with Cardiff and continuing to play my rugby here at home," said Faletau."Being part of this group of players has been amazing. There's a good vibe on and off the pitch, and I really enjoy working with Jockey [Matt Sherratt]. His insights and support have challenged me to grow and improve."I'm grateful for the continued opportunity and looking forward to what's shaping up to be an exciting year ahead." 'One of the greatest' Faletau, who started his career with Dragons, has been limited to just 23 appearances for Cardiff in three years since his move from Bath.A broken arm suffered in the 2023 World Cup against Georgia was followed by a fractured shoulder on his club return in April 2024 against has had a run of games in recent months and has been excellent in the second half of the season."We are delighted to be able to keep Taulupe at Cardiff and in Wales," said Sherratt."He is a highly respected member of our squad and has shown recently the quality he brings to the pitch. "He is one of very few players who has real quality in every aspect of the game."He is undoubtedly one of the greatest players to pull on a Cardiff shirt and the red shirt of Wales and we are delighted he is staying with us."Taulupe and his family are settled in Cardiff and this played a big part in him agreeing a new contract."
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Taulupe Faletau signs new deal to stay in Wales as he turns down big-money move abroad
Taulupe Faletau signs new deal to stay in Wales as he turns down big-money move abroad The Wales international had been heavily linked with a number of French clubs but has decided to stay at Cardiff Faletau has signed a new deal to stay at Cardiff (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency ) Wales star Taulupe Faletau has signed a new contract to stay at Cardiff, having turned down big-money offers to move abroad. The back rower was due to be out of contract at Arms Park at the end of the month, with the man himself admitting last month that he was unsure where he would be playing his rugby next season. He had been heavily linked with a number of French clubs including Stade Niçois and Provence Rugby, but has now chosen to extend his stay in the capital. The 34-year-old is approaching the end of his career but has been in excellent form since returning injury in December, with a series of standout performances towards the close of the season as Cardiff narrowly missed out on the URC play-offs. He was named Player of the Match when he helped his side to victory over Munster in April and is now set for more nights at the Arms Park having put pen to paper on a new deal. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. As his new contract was confirmed, Faletau said: 'I'm really happy to be staying with Cardiff and continuing to play my rugby here at home. Being part of this group of players has been amazing. "There's a good vibe on and off the pitch, and I really enjoy working with Jockey. His insights and support have challenged me to grow and improve. 'Playing at the Arms Park is also truly special and the support we receive is brilliant. 'I'm grateful for the continued opportunity and I'm looking forward to what's shaping up to be an exciting year ahead.' Meanwhile, Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt said that everyone at the region was "delighted" to retain Faletau's services as he paid tribute to the three-time British & Irish Lions tourist and described him as "undoubtedly one of the greatest players" to represent the Blue & Blacks. 'We are all delighted to be able to keep Taulupe at Cardiff and in Wales," said Sherratt. "He is a highly respected member of our squad and he has shown recently the quality he brings to the pitch. He is one of very few players who has real quality in every aspect of the game. 'Taulupe and his family are very settled in Cardiff and this played a big part in him agreeing a new contract. 'He is undoubtedly one of the greatest players to pull on a Cardiff shirt and the red shirt of Wales and we are delighted he is staying with us." It comes weeks after Faletau - who has made 23 appearances for Cardiff since signing from Bath in 2022 - admitted he was unsure where his future lay. 'I don't know where I will be playing next season yet,' he said after his outstanding performance against Munster in April. Article continues below 'It's just been up and down, playing and not playing, so to get the run of games the last few weeks has been good. I am just happy to get out there with the boys."
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
The big-name Welsh players now looking for new clubs as exits confirmed
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Several top Welsh rugby players are on the hunt for new jobs after it was confirmed that they would be leaving their current clubs this summer. As is the case every season, the culmination of the 2024/25 campaign will see some high-profile departures take place in Wales and across the rugby world, with big names saying their farewells. For some, their stints with their team may have been short, while others are leaving after years of service, having become fan favourites or even club legends. For the likes of Wales legends Dan Biggar, Justin Tipuric and Dan Lydiate, their playing careers have simply reached the end of the road with all three hanging up their boots this summer. However, there are other big Welsh names who believe they still have plenty to offer on the field and are now looking to move to pastures new after becoming free agents. Wales international Regan Grace is one of nine players who will leave Cardiff this summer, having made four appearances for the Arms Park side since joining as injury cover on a short-term deal in January. After an injury-hit start to his time in rugby union, the former St Helens star has previously said he is determined to crack the code and, as a result, he may look to sign for a team to stay in the 15-a-side code. Such a move would help him in his bid to win his first Wales cap, having made his one and only international appearance to date in last summer's uncapped match against Queensland Reds. However, Grace has also admitted that a return to rugby league remains "an option" for him this summer, with another code switch certainly not off the table. Fellow Cardiff wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb is also on the market after announcing his departure from Arms Park, although he is widely expected to sign for Leicester Tigers after a strong end to the season in blue and black. Over in Llanelli, Wales international Steff Evans is moving on after 11 seasons with the Scarlets, having made over 190 appearances for the region and helped them to the PRO12 title in 2017. Evans, who battled back from a serious Achilles injury this season, is still only 30 and could provide any interested clubs with a solid back-three option, although he hasn't given any indication yet of what his next move will be. The Dragons have also revealed their end-of-season departures, with 58-cap former Wales star Scott Williams not offered a deal to stay on at Rodney Parade. The former Scarlets and Ospreys centre had trained with Filo Tiatia's side this season and made three appearances, including an impressive performances against the Scarlets at Judgement Day. However, the 34-year-old - who also played for Pontypool in Super Rygbi Cymru earlier in the season - is now looking for a new club again. Wing Ashton Hewitt will also leave the Dragons after making 130 appearances in 12 years, parting ways with the Men of Gwent as their second-highest try scorer of all time. His next destination is also yet to be confirmed, but it is believed that Worcester Warriors - who have also signed Welsh stars Will Reed and Lloyd Williams ahead of their Champ Rugby return next season - recently showed interest in the 30-year-old. However, it is not just within Wales that top Welsh players are searching for a new club, with Liam Williams confirming that he is on the lookout for a new adventure after leaving Saracens. The 93-cap international signed for the English giants in November after a spell in Japan, but a knee injury sustained during the opening match of the Six Nations against France has ruled him out of action since. But with his recovery progressing well, 34-year-old Williams is not ready to hang up his boots just yet. "I'll be looking for a club after that [recovery]," he told the Sportin Wales podcast. "It's nice going into training. I've enjoyed it over the last 12 years so if there's any clubs out there who want me for an extra year, sign me up." Earlier this year, he told WalesOnline: "I think I've got a couple of years left, to be honest with you. My aim is to get 100 caps for Wales and if that happens it is the icing on the cake and if it doesn't then it doesn't that is just the way it is. But that's my aim." Meanwhile, Rhys Patchell could also potentially move back to Wales after taking up a break clause to leave Japanese side NEC Green Rockets a year early and become a free agent. The 22-cap international fly-half also enjoyed a stint at New Zealand Super Rugby outfit the Highlanders before his move to Japan, but could prove to be of interest to one of Wales' professional sides with plenty still to offer at the age of 32. Patchell previously admitted that he had missed Wales during his time in Japan, telling S4C's Jonathan in March: "This might sound really deep now, but I didn't think 'hiraeth' was a real thing. I thought it was just this really wishy-washy thing that people spoke about which wasn't real. "When you reach the longest stint I've done out there, 10 or 12 weeks, by then I was ready to come home. I wanted my fix of Wales."
Wales Online
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Cardiff issue statement on departing players and explain situation amid strife
Cardiff issue statement on departing players and explain situation amid strife The region was temporarily placed into administration and taken over by the WRU earlier this month The Arms Park side released a statement ahead of their clash with Munster (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency ) Cardiff Rugby have issued a statement to supporters explaining why they cannot currently reveal which players are leaving the club this season. Earlier this month, the WRU took control of the capital city region after it was temporarily placed into administration by their directors, with owners Helford Capital failing to provide the level of funding they were contractually obligated to do. While the WRU takeover has stablilised things in the short term, however, these are still uncertain times for the Arms Park side. Traditionally at this time of year, clubs publish a list of players that will be departing at the end of the season, largely to give fans the opportunity to give them a fitting send-off before the campaign draws to a close. Article continues below However, ahead of their URC clash with Munster on Friday evening, Cardiff released a short statement on social media explaining why the club is currently unable to provide details around departing players, citing "recent events" as well as there being "still so much to play for" during the remainder of the current campaign. "While we appreciate supporters want to give their thanks to those departing, recent events at the club, combined with the fact that there is still so much to play for, mean we are unable to publish a list of leavers at this time," the statement read. "Get behind the boys tonight and we will update you when we can. Diolch!" Matt Sherratt's side are right in the mix for a URC play-off spot, with their clash against Munster tonight a crucial fixture for their hopes of finishing in the top eight. 25% OFF DEAL: Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. The Blue & Blacks currently sit in sixth place in the table, with their Irish opponents just one place below and trailing them by a single point. Exactly when we will know the full list of those departing Arms Park remains to be seen, but two exits have already been confirmed with prop Rhys Litterick heading to Edinburgh and back row Thomas Young joining the Dragons this summer. Seb Davies and Tinus de Beer are also set to join Young at Rodney Parade, while Wales international Mackenzie Martin, who has spent much of this season playing for Cardiff RFC in Super Rygbi Cymru, is also of interest to Filo Tiatia's side. Meanwhile, the Ospreys have targeted the signing of highly-rated hooker Efan Daniel, who is out of contract at the Arms Park and has also been attracting interest from the English Premiership and another Welsh club. Wales internationals Taine Basham and Ioan Lloyd are both confirmed to be joining Cardiff next season, from the Dragons and Scarlets respectively. Article continues below So far, the Scarlets are the only Welsh region to have confirmed their departing players, with the Ospreys and Dragons also yet to make an announcement. The Llanelli side announced on Friday that seven players - including Lloyd - would be leaving this summer, with Steff Evans departing after 11 seasons at the club. Last season's player's player Alex Craig is joining Glasgow Warriors, while flanker-turned-hooker Shaun Evans is also leaving after making 65 appearances for the Scarlets across eight seasons. Fly-half Charlie Titcombe, scrum-half Efan Jones and lock Ed Scragg are the three other players departing after joining the Scarlets in 2023.
Wales Online
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wanted Wales international told to show some resilience amid interest from rivals
Wanted Wales international told to show some resilience amid interest from rivals Mackenzie Martin has struggled for game time in his second senior season at Cardiff Martin has been urged to be patient Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt has challenged Mackenzie Martin to show some resilience amid interest in the Wales No. 8. WalesOnline reported this week that the Dragons had expressed an interest in the 21-year-old after struggling for regular game time this season. Having broken into Cardiff's team last season, earning a Wales call-up in the process, Martin has yet to start for the Arms Park side this season while he also hasn't added to his collection of four Test caps. Having made just six appearances off the bench for Cardiff, most of Martin's involvements this season has been in Super Rygbi Cymru for Cardiff RFC. That has coincided with the young back-row - who was initially called up to Wales' Six Nations squad in 2024 after just seven senior appearances - missing out on recent Wales squads. Having toured Australia last summer, Martin wasn't part of Warren Gatland's autumn and Six Nations squads this season. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Article continues below Martin's first setback in senior rugby has been met with the Dragons showing an interest in signing the powerful back-row. Whether any deal materialises, given Martin still has a year to run on his current deal at the Arms Park, remains to be seen. Martin didn't feature for either Cardiff's professional or semi-professional sides last weekend. However, when asked if Martin was fit and available ahead of their last home game of the season against Munster, Sherratt said Martin's lack of game time was a symptom of Cardiff's rich back-row stocks. "He's in contention for selection," said Sherratt. "It's the hardest place to select. "We've got guys like Dan Thomas missing out. Gwillym Bradley and Lucas de la Rua haven't featured this year. "To fit Faletau, Lawrence, Young, Botham and Mann, who have all been playing well, into the back-row is difficult. "I probably take it right back to where we were. Mackenzie is 21 and he's got a British Lion and someone who is probably not far off being player of the season in Alun Lawrence ahead of him. "It's probably one of those times in his career where he's going to have to show a bit of resilience, work hard and get himself back on the field. "The competition is pretty intense but that's how you want it." There has been some added uncertainty over contracts at Cardiff in recent weeks, with the club having been taken over by the Welsh Rugby Union after going into administration. There is the risk that players could feasibly void their contracts - with all of Cardiff's playing group having been given a letter to sign that would see them acknowledge their transfer of their contract from Cardiff Rugby Limited to the WRU's new subsidiary. Article continues below It's understood that not all players had necessarily signed by the deadline of last Monday evening, although it's unclear if everyone has since put pen to paper.
